Reversible code compander

ABSTRACT

A system for the condensation of a binary signal sequence and for the reproduction of the condensed signal sequence, in which the same encoding means is used both for the condensation and for the reproduction. In the reproduction mode of operation inverters are connected in series with the input and the output of the encoding means. The two inverters together with the encoding means act as a decoder because such a transformation function is selected for the encoding means at which the inverse transformation function is just the complementary function thereof.

CROSS-RELATED REFERENCES

The present application is a continuation-in-part of the parent application Ser. No. 281,016, filed Aug. 16, 1972.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In computer technology, data transmission and control technology, the representation of information in the binary system offnumbers has gained wide acceptance. Numbers in the binary system are expressed by two digits only, viz. 0 (zero) and 1 (unity). The use of the binary system is a convenient expedient, because simple bistable systems may be used for the physical representation of data.

Binary representation of information (e.g. data, letters, symbols, etc.) produces sequences consisting only of zeros and ones. Let this sequence be called an elementary signal sequence or more briefly, a signal sequence.

Among these signal sequences, in the majority of cases the zeroes and ones, i.e., the elementary signals, follow one another in random order. However, in some actual sequences the elementary signals do not occur at a uniform frequency. Often there are considerable differences in the frequencies of occurrence of the elementary signals. In other sequences, it can be shown that differences will appear in the probability of occurrence of certain shorter or longer sequences of the elementary signals, sequences which may be called letter or blocks, i.e., frequency of the blocks rather than of the elementary signals.

In the course of research in the theory of encoding several procedures have been developed, by means of which the length of elementary signal sequences of information may be reduced, provided that the frequencies of occurrence of elementary signals or of sequences differ from one another. In this manner, for example, the length of a signal sequence of information may successfully be shortened or shrunk by means of codes of varying word lengths.

For the explanation of the use of such codes of variable word lengths let us write down the following elementary signal sequence: . . . 000000000110001000000000000 . . .

Of the 27 elementary signals of the sequence, 24 are zeroes and 3 are ones. Let us form a new elementary signal sequence in conformity with the following rule: Starting at the beginning of the sequence, for each pair of zeroes substitute a single zero, for each one a pair comprising a one and a zero, and for a pair comprising a zero and a one, a pair comprising two ones in order to form a new sequence, i.e. the following rule is applied:

    00→ 0

    1→ 10                                               (a)

    01→ 11

Bloch was the first to publish this rule of code transformation. On completing the operation, the sequence . . . 00001110011000000 . . . is obtained.

This sequence is about 63 percent shorter than the original sequence. When the same process is now applied to the new sequence, this will boil down to . . . 0010101001010000 . . . and, if repeated, to . . . 01011110101100 . . .

Hence the sequence originally consisting of 27 signals can be reduced to a sequence of only 14 signals. However, at this point it is no longer worthwhile to continue the procedure, since with an additional step a binary number of 17 digits would be obtained, viz.: . . . 11111010101111100 . . .

The reduction of the length of information signal sequences is a useful procedure, as considerable savings can result from both the transmission and storage of the shorter signal sequences. As a matter of fact, shorter sequences result in information being transmitted at a higher speed. For a given storage capacity, the devices may store more information.

By resorting to an inverse transformation, the shrunk or reduced signal sequences can be decoded to recover the original sequences. For this operation the following transformations are applied:

    11→ 01

    10→ 1                                               (b)

    0→ 00

For the shrinkage and restoration, an encoder and a decoder are required the function of which is to transform the signal sequences in conformity with rules (a) and (b). If these operations are to be repeated, as in the example above, provision will have to be made for several encoders and decoders, as well as for intermediate matching units.

The encoders K₁ . . . K_(N), in the arrangement in FIG. 1 and the decoders, D₁, D₂, . . . D_(N) in FIG. 2 carry out the instructions (a) and (b) respectively. However, there is considerable difference in the operating speeds of the various circuits. In FIG. 1 the input of the first encoder K₁ has been given the symbol x_(o), while its output is designated x₁. If a signal sequence of a constant frequency f_(o) is applied to the input x_(o), then at the output x₁ the average value of the frequency, f₁, may fluctuate between 0.5 f_(o) and 2 f_(o) according to the ratio of zeroes to ones in the input signals. Consequently a signal of fluctuating frequency passes to the input of the encoder K₂, so that the frequency of the signal appearing at point x₂ can change or can even be greater compared to that at x₁. The situation is very much the same with the signal frequencies of the inputs y_(o), y₁, . . . y_(N) in FIG. 2. For the control of the encoding and decoding procedures control circuits V_(K) and V_(D) are required, which are, respectively, connected to the circuits K_(i) and D_(i) i= 1, 2, . . . N. In general the individual encoders and decoders, and therefore the control circuits V_(K) and V_(D), differ from one another. However, the use of a variety of types equipment is fraught with disadvantages.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, the encoding and decoding operations are simplified to a degree that both operations can be performed by identical circuits. Similarly the circuitry according to the invention also simplifies control.

Instead of rule (a) well known from the literature, let us now use the following rule for encoding:

    00→ 0

    1→ 11                                               (c)

    01→ 10

The corresponding rule for decoding (c) reads as follows:

    11→ 1

    0→ 00                                               (d)

    10→ 01

0→ 1→

Obviously the conversion chart (d) may be derived from the chart (c) (and vice versa) by simply complementing each elementary signal, i.e. by performing the transformations 0 → 1 and 1 → 0.

Let X denote the elementary signal sequence to be reduced, and Y the signal sequence after reduction. The complementary sequences of these signal sequences are designated, respectively X and Y. The transformation according to (c) can be written as follows:

    Y= f (x)                                                   (e1)

The symbol f designates the transformation given in (c). Let the symbol f.sup.⁻¹ designate the inverse transformation given in (d). This way the original sequence X can be decoded from the encoded sequence Y according to the expression

    x= f.sup..sup.-1 (Y).                                       (e2)

Since the transformation charts (c) and (d) are in complementary relationship with each other, the form (e2) can be expressed, as:

    x= f(Y), and after inversion (f1)

    x= f(Y).                                                   (f2)

Therefore the original sequence Y can be recovered from the encoded sequence Y by complementing the sequence Y, encoding this complemented sequence and complementing the result.

Complementation can be technically realized in a simple manner, i.e. by using an inverter. By applying the complementary reduction rule according to (c) and (d), realization may be effected with a substantial simplification of the circuitry because the need for a separate decoding system is eliminated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram for a prior art encoding system;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram for a prior art decoding system;

FIG. 3 shows the block diagram of the system according to the present invention wherein the encoding and the decoding are carried of by the same encoding stages; and

FIG. 4 shows the block diagram of an embodiment of a decoding stage shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The circuitry according to the invention is shown in FIG. 3. The circuit comprises code transformers KD₁, KD₂, . . . KD_(N), inverters, I₁, I₂, changeover switches So- S_(n) and a pulse generator G.

In conformity with rule (c) the code transformers KD₁, KD₂, . . . KD_(N) for encoding by the transformations

    00→ 0

    1→ 11

    0.1→ 10;

and, in conformity with rule (d), for decoding, in conjunction with the inverters I₁, I₂, by the transformation

    11→ 1

    0→ 00

    10→ 01

in conformity with rule (e), combine to set up the encoding equation Y= f(X) and, in conformity with rule (f), the equation X= f(Y). f The signals are applied to the code transformers through inputs x_(k1), x_(k2), . . . x_(kN). The transformed signals then appear at the outputs y_(k1), y_(k2), . . . y_(kN).

For encoding, the code transformers are controlled by switches v_(d1), v_(d2), . . . v_(dN), for decoding by switches v_(k1), v_(k2), . . . v_(kN). For controlling the adjacent code transformers, the code transformers issue controlling signals, respectively, on the outputs v'_(d1), v'_(d2), . . . v'_(dN) and v'_(k1), v'_(kN). All units KD_(i) are of uniform design.

For decoding, the inverters I₁ and I₂ perform the required complementation of the input and output signal sequences.

For encoding, a pulse generator G is connected to the input v_(kN) of the code transformer KD_(N). For decoding, it is connected to the input v_(d1) of the code transformer KD₁.

Encoding or decoding may be selected by means of the two-position switches s_(o) and S_(N). Switches S_(o) and S_(N) comprise respectively, the change-over switches s₀₁, s₀₂, s_(o3) and s_(N1), S_(N3). Throwing the switches S_(o) - S_(N) operates all the changeover switches at the same time. The signals are passed through the change-over switches s₀₁, s_(o3), s_(N1), s_(N3). Control is effected by the change-over switches s_(o2) and S_(N2).

For encoding, the points 0 of the change-over switches are connected to the points k. For decoding, they are connected to the points d. The circuit shown in FIG. 3 is in "decoding" position.

A possible realization of the code transformers KD₁ to KD_(N) of identical construction is illustrated in FIG. 4. The circuit of FIG. 4 comprises shift registers R₁ to R₄, gating circuits A₁ to A₃, a bistable circuit B, and a frequency divider D.

Shift registers R₁ to R₄ are operable for shifting in both directions, i.e. to the right and to the left respectively. A shifting to the right occurs by means of a shifting signal synchronized with signals to be coded and led to the input V_(di). The frequency of the signal shifting to the left is such that the circuit is capable of accomplishing two shiftings to the left between two shiftings to the right. The circuit receives the control frequency, from which the signal for shifting to the left is produced, on the input V_(ki). Frequency divider D halves said frequency and delivers it to the preceding code transformer stage KD through the output V'_(Ki).

At the beginning of the encoding, the normal position of the registers R₁ to R₄ is such that the information stored in the stages R₁ to R₄ is 1100, i.e. the conditions of the register stages are as follows: R₁ = 1; R₂ = 1; R₃ = 0; R₄ = 0.

The operation of the circuit will be examined in the following three cases as the information signals 1, 01 and 00, respectively, arrive at the input X_(Ki).

These signals are applied to the input of the stage R₂ of the shift register and are shifted in the register to the right. Stage R₁ is not involved in the shifting to the right, and therefore its contents do not change during the shifting.

After introduction of an information signal 1, the contents of the registers R₁ to R₄ are 1110. In that case the gating circuit A₁ receives at its inputs the signals a₁₁ = 1, a₁₂ = 1, a₁₃ = 0 from the corresponding outputs of the stages R₂, R₃, and R₄. (Gating circuits A₁, A₂ and A₃ consists of circuits for the realization of logic operations AND and OR). As a result, a signal appears at the output a₁₄, which is applied to the input b₁ of the bistable circuit B to operate the circuit. Output b₃ gives an opening signal to the input a₃₁ of the gate A₃. In that case gate A₃ provides the shifting signal to the left, present at a₃₂, to the output a₃₃. Due to this shifting signal the registers R₁ to R₄ shift to the left and the signals shifted to the left pass from stage R₂ to the output Y_(Ki). After two shifts to the left, the information 11 present in stages R₂ and R₃ appears at the output, Y_(Ki) accordingly the code transformation occurs.

After two steps to the left, the contents of the registers R₁ to R₄ are 1000, if at every shifting to the left a signal 0 is fed in. The construction of the gating circuit A₂ is such that on the output a₂₅ a signal appears, if on the inputs a₂₂, a₂₃, a₂₄ signals 000 are present, independently of the signal present on the input a₂₁. In this case circuit B is brought to its normal condition as a result of the signal present on the input b₂, and the gating circuit A₃ closes against further shifting. At the same time, the reset terminals r₁ to r₄ of the registers R₁ to R₄ receive signal from the output a₂₅, so as the registers are brought to their prior normal positions.

If input X_(Ki) receives a signal 01, the contents of registers R₁ to R₄ will be 1101. Gating circuit A₁ produces also a signal at its output a₁₄, if the inputs a₁₁, a₁₂ and a₁₃ receive a signal 101. Said shifting to the left is repeated and during two steps a signal 10 appears on the output Y_(Ki), i.e. the encoding occurs. After two steps, the contents of registers R₁ to R₄ will be 0100. Gating circuit A₂ is of the construction so that if at the input a₂₁ a signal 0 is present, output a₂₅ receives a signal independently of the signals present at inputs a₂₂ to a₂₄. In this case resetting of the bistable circuit B and of the registers R₁ to R₄ occurs again.

If input X_(Ki) receives signal 00, the content of registers R₁ to R₄ will be 1001. As a result of a signal 001 applied to the inputs a₁₁, a₁₂, a₁₃ of the gating circuits A₁, a signal appears again on the output a₁₄.

Shifting to the left occurs again, therefore, a signal 0 appears on the output, and hence the encoding occurs. After the first step to the left the contents of R₁ to R₄ will be 0010 and therefore the signal 0 at the input a₂₁ of the gating circuit A₁ resets the circuit to its normal state, thus in this case only one step to the left is possible. 

What we claim is:
 1. An arrangement for reproducing the original signal sequence from encoded binary contracted signal sequences comprising, in combination, a plurality of inverters; switching means connected to a common circuit point and to said inverters; a driving pulse generator connected to said common circuit point; a plurality of code transformers connected to said switching means having signal inputs and outputs, and having controlling inputs and outputs, the contracted encoded signal to be reproduced being applied to one of said inverters through said switching means for decoding by said inverters, said code transformers being connected in series, the signal output of any one code transformer being connected by pairs to the signal input of the subsequent code transformer, the output signal from the last code transformer being applied to another one of said inverters through said switching means for decoding by said other inverter after direct coding by said switching means, said pulse generator being connected to the controlling inputs of said code transformers through said switching means, said pulse generator being connected during decoding to the controlling input of the first code transformer through said switching means, said pulse generator being connected during encoding to the controlling input of the last code transformer through said switching means, the controlling inputs and outputs of said code transformers being interconnected by pairs, the encoding occurring in accordance with the rule 00 → 0, 1 → 11, 01 → 10, and the decoding occurring in accordance with the rule 11 → 1, 0 → 00, 10 →
 01. 